Day 21: Luke 12:22-34

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As you read this passage today, look again at verses 31 and 32. What are we seeking? What are we setting our hearts on? We sure can get fixated on things – things like what we will eat, what we will wear, money to pay the rent or to put gas in the car. But Jesus tells us this fixation is misplaced. We need to be fixed on the kingdom of God and what he has for our lives. We need to seek his glory and his kingdom. We are told that if we seek his will for our lives, he will take care of all these things that we worry about. We need to keep our mind fixed on Jesus.

Think about it: We are so focused with our struggle to pay bills, and he is just waiting to bless us with his entire kingdom. We are so busy focusing on our needs that we lose sight of His kingdom, in which all the answers lie. How foolish of us! I love that verse 32 says he is “pleased” to give the kingdom to us, his “little flock.” He wants to share it – no one is telling him that he has to do it. He is overjoyed to give us his kingdom. It’s what he so longs to do. And what a gift to be part of his little flock!

But we need to ask ourselves the hard questions and be completely honest…

What is your real treasure?

What takes up all your time and attention?

Where is your treasure?

The gift of the Kingdom that God is extending to us is meant to envelop your heart and meet every need of your body, mind, and soul.

Pam Little | Director of Children’s Ministry